Timing relay



y 1950 c. w. KUHN arm. 2,506,225

TIMING RELAY Filed June 27, 1947 BAgd 3 Sheets-Sheet l y 1950 c. w. KUHN ETAL 2,506,225

TIMING RELAY Filed June 27, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 M /2 55 4a /7 awwhw Patented May 2, 1950 TIMING RELAY Clarence W. Kuhn, Wauwatosa,

Roslng, Shorewood, Wis Hammer, Inc., Milwauk of Delaware and Theodore F. asslgnors to Cutleree, Wis, a. corporation Application June 27, 1947, Serial No. 757,378 13 Claims. (01. 200-97) This invention relates to improvements in timing relays.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved form of timing relay having diaphragm type time delay means.

Another object is to provide a device of the aforementioned character which is characterized by being flexible in respect to the circuit commutat-ions that may be efiected by its operation.

Another object is to provide a device of the aforementioned character which has accessible and convenient means for effecting adjustment of its interval of operation, for establishing desired circuit commutations to be effected by its operation, and for changing or replacing its component Another object is to provide a device of the aforementioned character which may be readily altered to afford time delay either on energiza-= tion or deenergization of its electromagnetic operating means by the change of a few parts.

" o mize the of we aforementioned character the assembly oi the device to i actness and neatness of apneai'ance; etc o d advantages the invention wings illustrate cert in embodi aents the invention, which it being understood that strated are same without ed r'" .gare 3. is a front elevational View or an electro= magnetically operated relay constructed in ac cordance with the invention, wherein time delay means is effective when the electromagnetic operating means is energized,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the relay shown Fig. 3.,

" vertical sectional view taken along a a --Z;l of Fig. 2,

Fig. a is a sectional view, taken along the line of Fig. 3. ig. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line 5-5 of F'g. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical section of a modified form of relay shown in Figs. 1 to 5 wherein its time delay means is effectivewhen the electromagnetic operating means is deenergized.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, they show a preferred form of supporting and housing member l and a bottom cover member 2 which to gether provide for the support and mounting of the various parts of the relay assembly. Members 1 and 2 are preferably molded from a suitable phenolic molding compound.

Member I comprises a vertical bracket portion 3, vertical side portions I, 4, an inner horizontal base portion 5, and an upwardly extending vertical front stud or stem portion 6. A downwardly opening cylindrical recess 1 is formed in member i below base portion 5 and is adapted to provide a chamber adapted to accommodate a flexible diaphragm 3 upon upward movement of the letter, said diaphragm being secured between member I and the bottom cover member 2.

Cover member i2 is provided with an upwardly opening chamber to accommodate diaphragm 8 upon downward movement or the latter. e chamber 9 has an upper portion id of inverted frusto-cenical form and has concentric therewith a shallow cylindrical portion ii of relatively large diameter and a deeper cylindrical portion ll! of smaller diameter. Member is also provided at its lower end with an integral portion i3 oi sub stantially rectangular form in vertical cross sec said. port o merging into the perticn i tion 5 :l a flange it abuses cal walls of member 3 to snaced points by screws 2' l r exteriorly one ncbiical passage xtends lengtl and which leads to E1115 large end of a tapered pas age it i the cylindrical poi" 6 of communicating w: chamber 9. A cylindrical passage 9 of an extends upwardly from c-assag communicates with a passage formal and leading to recess Passage ii is suitably threaded outer end for a portion of its length for cooperation with the threaded end portion 2i of an adjustable needle valve screw Needle valve screw 22 is thus adapted to be adjusted longitudinally within passage ll so its tab-cred end portion 23 which is axiall aligned with the nassage it may be projected into or withdrawn from the passage it to close or open the latter to the desired degree. Member 2 has formed therein transversely of the passage a substantially rea tangular upwardly opening slot to receive a member which frictionally accommodates the threaded portion 26 of valve screw 22 and which tends to lock the latter when adjusted to any position.

A rectangular magnet frame 25 provided with a mounting bracket 26 is attached to the inner side of the vertical bracket portion 3 of member 5 by bolts 2'! extending through alined opems formed in. bracket 25 and in the bracket portion 3, which bolts thread into suitable securing nuts disposed on the outer side of the bracket portion 3. A coil 28 is suitably secured within the magnet frame 25 and has a vertical axial opening to receive an armature or plunger member 29. The lower horizontal limb of magnet frame 25 is proacoaaao vided with a cut away portion to accommodate and assist in guiding the plunger 29. A pair of stamped sheet metal members 25 are secured to the outer vertical sides of said lower limb to further assist in guiding plunger 29 and restraining the same against substantial lateral displacement. Plunger 29 is biased to move downwardly with respect to magnet frame 25 and coil 28 when the latter is de-energized and is adapted to move upwardly to abut a part of the upper horizontal limb of magnet frame 25 when coil 28 is energized.

A flat punched plate 38 of a suitable insulating material is preferably provided to extend across the upper ends of vertical side portions 4, 4 of member I, beneath the magnet frame 25 and to be retained in such position by the magnet frame. Plate 38 is provided with a central opening to afford clearance for plunger 29 and is also suitably notched along its front edge to accommodate portions of snap action switches 3| and 32.

An inverted cup-shaped member 33, preferably formed by punching and stamping a sheet metal blank, is connected to plunger 29 through the medium of a pair of downwardly projecting legs 29 of the latter.

The legs 29 straddle member 33 and are attached thereto at diametrically opposed parts by means of a riveted pin 34 passing through suitably alined openings formed in the legs 29* and the cylindrical wall of member 33. A coiled compression spring 35 which surrounds the lower end of plunger 29 and the cylindrical wall of member 33 has one end bearing against the member 30 and its other end bearing against a flange 36 of member 33. When coil 28 is de-energized spring 35 biases the assembly comprising the plunger 29 and member 33 downwardly forcing the flange 36 of member 33 against the inside of the bottom wall of an upwardly opening cupshaped member 31 and hence biasing the latter downwardly. A coil compression spring 38 surrounding member 31 bears at one end against the bottom of a shallow circular depression in base portion 5 of member I and at its other end against a flange 39 formed on member 31. As will be understood spring 38 acts to bias member 31 upwardly when the overpowering force of Spring 35 is removed, as an incident to energization of coil 28. Spring 38 is of such character that when the assembly comprising plunger 29 and member 33 is in its extreme downward position, the bias of spring 38 in its compressed state will be insufficient to overcome the opposing bias of spring 35 and the combined weights of plunger 29 and members 31 and 32.

Member 31 is provided with a radially projecting lug 48 integrally formed with and lying in a common plane with the flange 39. The lug 40 is slidable within a vertical guide groove 4| formed in the inner surface of the bracket portion 3 of member I. Guide groove 4i preferably extends from the base portion 5 to a point which is in line with the upper ends of the vertical side portions 4, 4 of member l.

Member 31 is additionally provided with a pair of downwardly and then outwardly extending'L- shaped bracket portions 42 integrally formed with the flange 39 and which are disposed on opposite sides of the member and each displaced at a rotary angle of ninety degrees with respect to the lug 46. The outwardly projecting ends 42 of the portions 42 are adapted to engage with the upper surfaces of the end portions 43 of a plate lever 44, and, as will be later apparent, provide for pivotally moving lever 44 downwardly (Fig. 3) or alternatively releasing lever 44 for upward pivotal movement.

The flexible diaphragm 8 is preferably made in circular form from a thin sheet of rubber impregnated textile material. It is provided with a series of marginal openings to register with the screw receiving openings formed in the flange portion l5 of member 2 and is also provided with an opening registering with the passage 19 in member 2 and the passage 28 in member I. Extending through diaphragm 8 centrally thereof and suitably clamped thereto is an assembly comprising a disc 45 of substantially inverted frustoconical form overlying the diaphragm and -a relief valve 46. Diaphragm 8 is of greater diameter than disc 45 and is secured about its outer circumference between the bottom portion of member l and the cover member 2, the latter being tightly secured to the member I by the screws l6 which penetrate the openings in the diaphragm and take into threaded recesses or inserts in the bottom portion of member I.

Relief valve 46 extends through the diaphragm 8 and is provided with upper and lower shoulder portions 41 and 48 which are adapted to secure the valve 46, disc 45, and an annular sealing washer 49 to diaphragm 8 in a fluid tight relation. Disc 45 is provided with a central opening and is preferably positioned above diaphragm 8 and secured between the latter and the upper shoulder portion 41 of valve 46. The sealing washer 49 is secured between the bottom face of diaphragm 8 and the lower shoulder 48. The upper shoulder 41 is preferably formed as by spinning or riveting over a portion of the outer side wall of valve 46 after the assembly comprising the disc 45, diaphragm 8 and washer 49 have been positioned as above described with respect to the valve body of valve 46.

Relief valve 46 is provided with two oppositely opening cylindrical recesses 58 and 5| which communicate through a circular passage 52 of smaller diameter. A ball 53, preferably made of polished steel, is disposed within recess 5| and is normally biased upwardly to seal the lower end of passage 52, by a small coiled compression spring 54 which bears at its lower end against an annular retaining ring 55 rigidly secured over the bottom end of valve 46 as by riveting over the end portion of the valve body. The lower end of a rod 56 is positioned within recess 58 and is adapted for limited lengthwise movement therein. Rod 56 is provided adjacent its lower end with a peripheral extension or shoulder 51 which cooperates with a retaining ring 58 secured at the top end of valve 46 in the manner described in connection with retaining ring 55. Rod 56 has a lower end portion 59 of reduced cross section which is adapted to project through the passage 52 when the rod 56 moves downwardly thereby pressing the ball 53 downwardly and away from the lower end of passage 52 to permit flow of fluid from the lower to the upper diaphragm chambers.

Rod 56 is slidable within an opening 68 formed centrally through the wall of the base portion 5 of member I and is provided with a threaded upper end portion 6| which threads into a nut 62 permanently and nonrotatably attached to the bottom wall of member 31. I

The plate lever 44 preferably consists of a punched and stamped sheet metal blank. The end portions 43 are preferably provided with transversely extending upwardly convexed or arcuate surfaces for engagement by the flat ends 42 of member 31. Portions 43 are integrally aeoaeae connected with a fiat portion 83 which is pro-- vided with a semi-=circular notch extending be twsen the portions (33 to provide clearance between lever M and member 31. A portion (it integrai with the portion 53 projects downwardly therefrom at substantially right angles thereto and its lower edge is adapted to pivotally engage within three alined angular open bearing support notches E35. 55 and 61 which are formed in the inner surface oi the front wall 01 member t. Suitably spaced rectangular openings 58 and 59 are termed through the portion 63 adjacent the point of juncture of the portion therewith. Openings 58 and iii? provide clearance for the lower end portions of a pair of identical levers and "ii constituting actuators for switches 35 and 32 respectively.

The lever id is preferably punched and stamped from a sheet metal :blank. The reduced lower end portion 12 provides a pair of shoulders which are adapted to bear downwardly against the portion 63 adjacent to the opening 58 to thereby prevent downward movement of lever to through the opening 68. Lever 15 is also provided with a shouldered upper end portion it which is received through a rectangular opening it formed in the top portion of an inverted U-shaped sheet metal bracket 15. A circular depression or offset 16 is formed in lever 10 to accommodate one end of a coiled compression spring 11 which bears at its other end against the arm portion 18 of the bracket 15. A cone shaped depression 19 is also formed in lever 10 and is adapted to receive the tapered or cone shaped end of an adjusting screw 80. Lover 10 is additionally provided with a circular boss portion 8! which is adapted to engage the outer end of a reciprocable actuator 82 of the snap action switch 3i. A boss portion 83 formed on the bracket arm 18 is surrounded by one end of the coiled spring 11 to prevent accidental displacement of the latter. Screw 80 has threaded engagement with a tapped opening formed in the supporting arm 84 of bracket 15 and is adjustable longitudinally therethrough to move the upper end of lever 10 toward, or to permit biased movement of said lever from, the Portion 18 of bracket 15.

Lever H is structurally like the lever 16, and is mounted and adjustable with respect to the plate lever 44 and the bracket 15 in substantially the same manner. Thus lever H is provided with a boss portion 85 to engage with the acuator 86 of the snap action switch 32.

The top or connecting portion and bracket arm portion 81 of bracket 15 are suitably notched to provide clearance for the magnet frame 25. Bracket 15 is secured to the inner surface of the vertical front stem portion 6 of member l as by a screw 38 which penetrates an opening or passage formed in the vertical stem portion 6 and takes into a tapped opening in the supporting arm 84 of bracket 15.

The snap action switches 3| and 32 are preferably of one of well-known sensitive, unitary types characterized by being normally .or inherently biased to a given circuit-controlling position, either an open or closed position, and being operable to engage or disengage as the case may be, by very slight movement of a reciprocable actuating element, each switch being returnable under its inherent bias when the operating force is reduced to a predetermined value. Switches 3! and 32 are positioned on opposite sides of the vertical stem portion 6 in openings formed between the vertical side portions 4, 4 and the verof member 31 and rod 56 may be varied tical stem portion 6 and are rigidly fastened to the latter as by the bolts 89 and 9!! which are received through suitably aligned openings formed in the switch casings and in the stem portion 6 and secured thereto as by suitable securing nuts. It will be noted that either one of the switches and 32 together with the actuating lever associated therewith may he omit"ed from the assembly as desired.

Referring particularly to Fi 3 it shows the aioredescribed parts of the relay in the respective positions ultimately assumed as incident to the de-energization of coil Upon energization of coil 28 the assembly comprising plunger 25 and member 33 quickly moves upwardly against the bias exerted by spring 35 and the upper end of plunger 29 engages with the upper horizontal limb of magnet frame 25 and remains in engagement therewith so long as coil 25 is energized. The assembly comprising member 31 and rod 56 therefore tends to move upwardly under the bias exerted by spring 38 but such movement is retarded. During slight initial upward movement of the latter assembly the end 55 of rod moves out of engagement with ball 53 which then seals passage 52 under the bias of spring 5t. Also upon initial movement of rod 55 its shoulder 5'5 comes into engagement with the retaining ring 5d. Thus continued movement of rod 55 causes the assembly comprising the flexible diaphragm 3, disc 45 and valve 46 to follow in upward movement. However, the last mentioned assembly retards the rate of upward movement of member 31 and rod 55 by virtue of the vacuum produced in the lower diaphragm chamber and thereafter member 31 and rod 56 move upwardly at a controlled rate depending upon the rate that air or other fluid can flow from the upper diaphragm chamber through passages 26, l9, l1, and I 5 into the lower diaphragm chamber. The rate of flow of air or other fluid from the upper to the lower diaphragm chamber may be varied by adjusting needle valve screw 22 so that its tapered end portion 23 increases or decreases the effective opening through the tapered passage i8. With the form of relay herein disclosed it has been found that the interval of the entire upward movement between a few tenths of a second to several minutes by suitable adjustment of needle valve screw 22.

As member 31 moves upwardly the bias exerted by the limbs 42 on the end portions 43 of lever 44 is relieved and said end portions follow the upward movement of the limbs 42 with continuin engagement as lever 44 pivots clockwise about the bearing notches 55, 66 and 51. Simultaneously the lower end portion of lever 10 moves in a counterclockwise direction causing the lever to exert increasing pressure by its boss portion 8| on the actuator 82 of switch 3|. Ultimately further clockwise movement of lever 10 causes actuation of switch 31 from its given to its second operating position thereby to close or open an electrical circuit as the case may be. Lever 1| is likewise pivotally movable in a counterclockwise direction to effect actuation of switch 32 by the pressure exerted inwardly on its actuator 86.

The switches 3| and 32 because of their sensitive character may have their operation delayed until the rod 5| closely approaches its limit. Also switches 3| and 32 may be actuated at the same point or at different points in the upward movement of rod 56 and member 31. For example, if adjusting screw associated with lever 10 is adjusted so that its end extends farther to the asoaaae left, the upper end 01' lever 10 is moved in the same direction thereby causing the boss portion 8! to be moved farther away from the end of actuator 82 of switch 3!. Initially positioning the boss portion Bl of lever 10 farther away from actuator e2 necessitates increased travel of the lever it before switch 3i will be actuated and therefore the actuation of switch 39 will occur later during the upward movement of member 3?. Conversely adjusting the screw 30 so that its end is moved to the right causes the switch ill to be actuated earlier during the upward movement of member 3?. Likewise lever it may be similarly adjusted by the appropriate adjustment of the adjusting screw associated therewith to effect actuation of switch 32 earlier or later during the upward movement of member 3'3.

The use of switches of the aforementioned type provides for flexibility in the circuit commutations that may be eiiected by the operation of the relay. For example if we assume that one of the switches is provided with normally open contacts and the other with normally closed contacts, the following circuit commutations may be establlshed:

(a) Each switch connected in a separate circuit (1) Close or open their respective circuits at same instant (2) Close or open their circuits at timed interval with respect to the other (b) Each switch connected in series with the other in the same circuit-normally open switch adjusted to close first either instantaneously or after predetermined interval and normally closed switch adjusted to open at some interval followin closure of normally open switch (1) Timed interval oi circuit closure with subsequent reopening of circuit If both switches are provided with the same kind of contacts, the circuit commutation outlined under (a) above may be efiected with the exception that both circuits will be opened or closed as the -case may be. Switches of the unitary type aforedescribed are also available with both normally open and normally closed contacts thus doubling the number of circuit commutations that may :be effected.

Upon subsequent de-energization of coil 2% the assembly comprising plunger 29 and member 33 will quickly move downwardly to its initial position by the bias of the spring 34. In moving downwardly member 33 abuts against the inside bottom wall of member 31 and thereby forces the assembly comprising member 31 and rod 56 downwardly. During the initial downward movement the shoulder 51 of rod 56 moves out of engagement with retaining ring 58 and the extreme lower end portion 59 moves into engagement with ball 53 thereby to force the latter away from the lower end of passage 52. Depressing the ball 53 away from the end of passage 52 thereby permits substantially unrestricted passage of air or other,

fluid from the lower to the upper diaphragm chambers through the valve 46. Thereafter further downward movement of member 31 and rod is obtained at a rapid rate with the assembly comprising diaphragm 8, disc 45, and valve 43 moving downwardly at the same rate.

As member 31 moves downwardly, the limbs 42* force the end portions 43 of lever 44 downwardly thereby causing lever 44 to move pivotally in the counterclockwise direction about the bearing notches t5, t6 and t1. counterclockwise movement of lever (it causes the lower ends of levers it and H to move clockwise whereby the force exerted by these levers on actuators 82 and 36 respectively of the snap action switches 35 and 32 is ultimately releived to a degree which will permit the switches to return to their normal position under their own inherent bias.

The valve :36 in cooperation with rod 55 afiords an improved means for rendering a diaphragm type timin mechanism ineffective during a portion of the cycle of operation of the relay. The.

opening of valve 36 is positively obtained and is not dependent upon small differentials in air or other fluid pressure to effect the opening. The positive opening of the valve 36 by mechanical means thereby permits the use of a stronger closing spring than would otherwise obtain if the opening of the valve is dependent upon differentials in air or fluid pressure. The use of the stronger Spring therefore insures positive closing of the valve during the timing portion of the relay operating cycle.

Referring to Fig. 6, it shows a modified form of the relay aforedescribed in connection with Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, which, as will later appear, is modified to obtain time delay when its electromagnetic operating means is de-energized.

The structure of the modified form of the relay shown is essentially like that for the relay aforedescribed with but few changes. In Fig. 6 the parts of the relay which are identical with corresponding parts of the relay aforedescribed have been given the same reference numerals.

In the modified form of relay, member 33, rivet 3t and spring 35 aioredescribed are not required and are omitted. The assembly comprising coil 28 and magnet frame 25 is reversed one hundred eighty degrees in vertical position so that the horizontal limb of frame 25 provided with the aforementioned cut away portion is uppermost. An armature or plunger 9i of substantially the same form but of greater over all length than plunger 29 aforedescribed is used in place of the latter. Plunger is provided with a pair of legs ti which straddle the lower horizontal limb of the magnet frame 25 and which are adapted to directly engage with the inside bottom wall of member 31. As will be understood, the plunger 9| normally assumes an upward extreme position with respect to magnet frame 25 and coil 28 when the latter is de-energized, and, plunger 9| is adapted to be moved downwardly as an incident to the energization of coil 23.

As shown in Fig. 6, the various parts of the relay are in the respective positions ultimately assumed as an incident to deenergization of coil 28; the switches 3| and 32 being respectively biased to their second or actuated positions. Upon energization Of coil 28, plunger 9| movesquickly downwardly and forces the assembly comprising member 31 and rod 56 downwardly at the same rate; and valve #36, as aforedescribed, thereupon opens to provide substantially unrestricted passage of air or other fluid from the lower to the upper diaphragm chamber. The operation of the modified form of relay following energization of coil 28 efiects the return of switches 3| and 32 to their normal or given operating positions in the same manner as for the relay shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, when the coil 28 of the latter is de-energized.

Upon subsequent de-energization of coil 28, the assembly member 31 and rod 56.under the bias of spring 38 moves upwardly at a controlled acoaaas rate depending upon the adjustment of needle valve screw 22. The actuation of switches 35 and 32 obtained with time delay upon de--encrgiza-= tion of coil 28 is thus substantially similar to that afforded by the relay shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, when coil 28 of the latter is energized.

.What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a plurality of switches each of which when moved from a given position in-- herently tends to return to and remain in such position, individualized actuators for said switches, each constantly under an individualized bias in a direction to operate its respective switch against the inherent bias of the latter, electromagnetic means controlling said actuators and including means selectively to withdraw each actuator from operative relation with its respective switch and to release it for actuation of its respective switch according to the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means, and means which under releasing condition of said electro magnetic means introduces reguiable delay incident to releasing action.

2. In combination, a plurality of switches each of which when moved from a given position inherently tends to return to and remain in such position, individualized actuators for said switches, each constantly under individualized bias in a direction to operate its respective switches against the inherent bias of the latter, said actuators being pivoted and adjustable relatively in respect of a pivot point, electromagnetic means controlling said actuators, and including means selectively to withdraw each actuator from operative relation with its respective switch and to release it for actuation of its respective switch according to the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means and means which under releasing condition of said electromagnetic means introduces regulable delay incident to releasing action, the relation in which said actuators are released being regulable by the aforementioned pivot point adjustment of said actuators.

3. In combination, a switch which when moved from a given position tends to return to and remain in such position, an actuator for said switch having a stationary pivot, biasing means for said actuator constantly tending to move it about said pivot to operate said switch against its own bias, a movable member, engaged with said actuator and movable in one direction to move said actuator for freeing said switch to move under its own bias, time element means for retarding movement f said member in a reverse direction and said member when free of restraint other than that afforded by said time element means being operable in such reverse direction through the medium of said actuator by said actuator biasing means, and means affording adjustment of the pivot point of said actuator thereby to require a greater or lesser movement of said actuator for operation of said switch by said actuator.

4. In combination, a plurality of switches each of which when moved from a given position inherently tends to return to and remain in such po sition, individualized actuators for said switches, each of said actuators having a stationary pivot, individualized biasing means for said actuators constantly tending to move them about their respective pivots to operate said switches against the bias of the latter, a movable member common to and engaged with said actuators and movable in one direction to move said actuators for freeing said switches to move under their own bias,

time element means for retarding movement of said member in a reverse direction and said member when free of restraint other than that afiorded by said time element means being operable in such reverse direction through the medium of said actuators by the biasing means of said actuators, and means afiording adjustment individually of the pivot points oi. said actuators thereby to require greater or lesser movement of the individual actuator for operation of its respective switch.

5. In combination, a switch which when moved from a given position tends to return to and re main in such position, an actuator for said switch having an open pivotal bearing support, biasing means for said actuator holding said actuator in engagement with said support and constantly tending to move said actuator about said support to operate said switch against its own bias, a movable member engaged with said actuator and. movable in one direction to move said actuator for freeing said switch to move under its own bias, time element means for retarding movement of said member in a reverse direction and said member when free of restraint other than that afforded by said time element means being operable in such reverse direction through the medium oi said actuator by said actuator biasing means, and means affording adjustment of said bearing sup= port of said actuator thereby to require greater or lesser movement of said actuator for operation of said switch by said actuator.

6. In combination, a switch which when moved from a given position inherently tends to return to and remain in such position, an actuator for said switch constantly under bias in a direction to operate said switch against its inherent bias, electromagnetic means controlling said actuator and including means selectively to withdraw said actuator from operative relation with said switch and to release said actuator for actuation of said switch according to the electrical condition of said electromagnetic means, and time delay means associated with said electromagnetic means and comprising a pair of oppositely disposed chambers, a movable diaphragm interposed between said chambers and operatively connected with said electromagnetic means, connecting passages between said chamber adapted when said diaphragm is moved in one direction to afford re stricted flow of fluid between said chambers, normally closed valve means, mechanical operating means adapted when said diaphragm is moved in the opposite direction to open said valve means thereby to afford substantially unrestricted flow of fluid between said chambers, said diaphragm being adapted to be moved in said direction first mentioned as an incident to the releasing action of said electromagnetic means.

7. In a timing relay, the combination with electromagnetic operating means, of time delay means associated therewith comprising a pair of oppositely disposed chambers, a movable diaphragm' interposed between said chambers, ,a valve extending through and supported by said diaphragm and normally biased to a closed position, means afiording a mechanical connection between said valve and said operating means, said connecting means being adapted when said operating means moves in a given direction to effect opening of said valve to thereby afford substantially unrestricted flow of fluid between said chambers whereby said operating means, said connecting means, said valve and said diaphragm are thereafter afiorded unretarded movement in said given direction, and means affording restrictaeoaaaa 11 ed flow of fluid between said chambers when said operating means moves in the reverse direction thereby to efiiect retardation of movement of the latter, said connecting means, said valve and said diaphragm in said reverse direction.

8. In a timing relay, the combination with electromagnetic operating means, of time delay means associated therewith having a pair of op-= positely disposed chambers, a movable diaphragm interposed between said chambers, a valve extending through and supported by said diaphragm and normally biased to a closed position, means affording a mechanical connection between said valve and said operating means, said connecting means being adapted when said operating means moves in a given direction to efiect opening of said valve to thereby afford substantially unrestricted flow oi fluid between said chambers whereby said operating means, said connecting means, said valve and said diaphragm are thereafter permitted unretarded movement in said given direction, and adjustable valve means afiording restricted flow of fluid between said chambers when said operating means moves in the reverse direction thereby to permit movement of the latter, said connecting means, said valve and said diaphragm in said reverse direction at a retarded rate according to the adjustment of said valve means.

9. In a timing relay, the combination with electromagnetic operating means, of time delay means associated therewith having a pair of oppositely disposed chambers, a movable diaphragm assembly disposed between said chamhere, said assembly comprising a fluid-tight membrane, a rigid disc member with which said membrane is assembled and a valve unit extending through and rigidly attached to said membrane and said disc, said valve unit having a valve member normally biased to a closed position, means affording a mechanical connection between said valve unit and said operating means,,

said connecting means being adapted when said operating means moves in a given direction to eiiect movement of said valve member to an open position against its bias to thereby afiord substantially unrestricted flow of fluid between said chambers whereby said operating means, said connecting means, and said diaphragm assembly are thereafter permitted unretarded movement in said given direction, and means affording restricted flow of fluid between said chambers when said operating means moves in the reverse direction thereby to permit movement of the latter, said connecting means, and said diaphragm assembly in said reverse direction at a retarded rate.

10. In a time delay relay the combination with an electromagnet having a reciprocating plunger, a diaphragm type timing device associated with said electromagnet, an insulating shell surrounding said electromagnet and said timing device and supporting the same in an axially aligned and adjacent relation, a switch unit mounted adjacent said electromagnet and timing device on a wall of said shell which parallels said plunger and means supported within said shell to render said switch operable under the control of said electromagnet and said timing device.

11. In a time delay relay the combination with an electromagnet having a reciprocating plunger, a. diaphragm type timing device associated with said electromagnet, an insulating shell surrounding said electromagnet and said timing device and supporting the same in an axially aligned and adjacent relation, a switch unit mounted adjacent said electromagnet and timing device on a wall of said shell which parallels said plunger and means supported within said shell to render said switch operable under the control of said electromagnet and said timing device, said means including a pivoted actuator for said switch and pivot adjusting means for said actuator operable from the exterior of said shell to vary the range of movement of said actuator required for a given operation 01 said switch.

12. In a timing relay, an electromagnet having a reciprocating plunger, a time element device having a reciprocating part in the path of said plunger to be moved thereby in one direction, said part of said device having spring biasing means for moving it in a reverse direction at a retarded rate provided for by said device, a switch, lever interconnections for said switch and said time element device, said interconnections comprising a switch engaging lever spring biased in one direction and an associated part which underlies said reciprocating part of said time element device and which constitutes a medium for subjecting said actuator when moved under its bias to retardation by said device and for subjecting said actuator to reverse movement by movement of said part of said device when the latter is moved by said plunger, and a unitary support on which the aforementioned elements are separately mounted for maintaining them in cooperative relation.

13. In a timing relay, an electromagnet having a reciprocating plunger, a time element device having a reciprocating part in the path of said plunger to be moved thereby in one direction, said part of said device having spring biasing means for moving it in a reverse direction at a retarded rate provided for by said device, a switch, lever interconnections for said switch and said time element device, said interconnections comprising a switch engaging lever spring biased in one direction and an associated part which underlies said reciprocating part of said time element device and which constitutes a medium for subjecting said actuator when moved under its bias to retardation by said device and for subjecting said actuator to reverse movement by movement of said part of said device when the latter is moved by said plunger, and a unitary support on which the aforementioned elements are separately mounted for maintaining them in cooperative relation, said support having an open end through which said electromagnet may be projected for assembly and removal and through which is afiorded access to said reciprocating part of said time element device and the underlying part of said interconnections.

CLARENCE W. 'KUHN. THEODORE F. ROSING.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Hurlburt Jan. 14, 1947 Number 

